Chapter 645

He noticed she had finished her meal. Only dessert and her favorite salad remained.

Without a word, he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and placed a small box on the table.

“For you.”

Lydia looked at it, then back at him. “What is this?”

“A gift.”

“We’re already married,” Lydia said, though there was no real refusal in her tone.

“And because we’re married, I’m not allowed to give you gifts?”

Lydia let out a soft huff but still pulled the box closer. Her fingers opened slowly, almost unconsciously holding her breath.

The moment the lid lifted-the candlelight caught on the crystal inside, scattering a soft, mesmerizing glow.

An oval-cut pendant, clean and precise, glowed in a deep shade of blue. Not a bright, striking blue-but something calmer, like the surface of the sea as night begins to fall. Within it, the crystal caught the light in soft reflections, as if there were layers of quiet radiance living inside. It wasn’t flashy, not overly dazzling-and that was exactly what made it look so expensive.

A thin silver chain held it in place, simple and unadorned, with no extra details to steal attention. Everything about it felt…

perfect.

“This…” Lydia fell silent, her eyes fixed on the necklace. “It’s beautiful.”

Cale didn’t comment. He simply reached out, lifting the necklace from the box. “May I?” he asked shortly.

Lydia nodded.

Cale stood and stepped behind her. His fingers, cool against her skin, brushed lightly as he gathered her hair aside, exposing the curve of her neck. The touch was brief-but enough to make Lydia hold her breath without realizing it.

He fastened the necklace carefully, making sure the clasp was secure before letting his hands fall away.

“Done,” he said.

Lydia touched the pendant instinctively. Her fingertips traced the smooth surface of the crystal, feeling its coolness slowly. warm against her skin. She tilted her head slightly, watching how the candlelight danced across the deep blue-making it seem almost alive.

For a few seconds, she said nothing. She simply looked at it, as if making sure it was real.

“This is too good to be ‘just a gift,”” she murmured at last.

“You don’t like it?” Cale asked.

Lydia shook her head quickly. “No. I like it.” She lifted her gaze to him, softer now. “I really like it.”

Cale gave a small nod, as though that alone was enough.

But Lydia wasn’t done. She tilted her head slightly, letting the pendant settle perfectly against the center of her collarbone. The blue shimmer contrasted against her skin-simple, yet undeniably captivating.

“Perfect,” she said quietly, more to herself than to him.

Cale watched her for a moment before taking his seat again. “It’s meant for you.”

A faint smile curved Lydia’s lip. “You picked it out yourself?”

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“Yes.”

“Not bad.”

“You don’t sound surprised.”

“I am,” Lydia admitted honestly. “I just didn’t expect you to notice details like this.”

Cale didn’t answer right away. He simply lifted his glass, taking a slow sip before saying casually, “I pay attention to what matters.”

Lydia studied him for a few seconds, then let out a soft laugh. “In that case… I’ll take this as something important.”

“You should.”

Lydia’s gaze drifted back to her phone screen, catching her own reflection. Her fingertips brushed the pendant again, tracing the smooth curve of the blue crystal now resting perfectly against her collarbone. The candlelight made it shimmer softly-not flashy, but enough to draw anyone’s attention.

“I’m glad you like it.”

Lydia glanced at him sideways. “I didn’t say I just ‘like’ it. This is… incredible.”

“Good.” Cale’s voice remained even. “Then I’d like something in return.”

Lydia’s brows knit together immediately. “In return?” She let out a small laugh, assuming he was joking. “For the necklace?”

Cale didn’t laugh. “I’ve already prepared it.”

The smile on Lydia’s lips faded slightly. “What do you mean?”

“Check your bag,” Cale said calmly.

And for some reason, that alone made her hesitate.

She looked at him for a moment, trying to read his expression-but found nothing beyond calm that felt almost suspicious. 1

Reluctantly, Lydia reached for her bag. She opened it slowly, her fingers brushing along the inside… and then stopping.

Her body went still.

“Cale.” She lifted her gaze, slowly meeting him. “Are you… serious?”

Cale leaned back, his expression unchanged. “I don’t joke about things like that.”

Lydia snapped her bag shut, a little too quickly. Heat rushed to her face-not just because of what she’d found, but because of the way Cale was looking at her now. Calm. Unhurried. As if all of this… had been planned.

“No,” she said firmly. “I’m not doing it.”

“Alright.”

The answer came far too easily.

Which only made Lydia more suspicious.

“That’s it?”

“You can refuse.”

“I am refusing.”

“And return the gift?”

Chapter 645

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Lydia fell silent.

Her hand drifted, almost unconsciously, back to the pendant resting against her neck.

Cale noticed the gesture, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. “Or… you’re not sure about wearing it.”

“I” Lydia paused, her thoughts catching up with her words. “Which one are we talking about? This necklace or… the other thing?”

“Maybe both?” Cale smirked faintly, taking a slow sip of his wine.